Door latch with integral switch

Abstract

A vehicle door latch includes an integral switch assembly which optionally includes a central locking switch and a central glass drive switch. The switches are responsive to movement of latch elements and perform the switching functions for circuitry that effects securement and unsecurement of the vehicle in a preselected manner.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A door latch comprising: a rotatable lock operating lever;   a switch housing spaced away from the lock operating lever;   a positionable elongated switch arm connected to the lock operating lever, extending into the switch housing and incorporating a conductor element; and   a plurality of switch operating pads registerable by the conductor element to initiate closing and opening of a window wherein the switch arm is movable rectilinearly within the switch housing in response to rotation of the lock operating lever.   
     
     
       2. A door latch comprising: a rotatable locking lever;   a rotatable lock operating lever engaging the locking lever;   a switch housing spaced away from the locking lever and the lock operating lever;   an actuator arm connected to the locking lever;   a first switch arm connected to the actuator arm and extending into the switch housing wherein the first switch arm is movable rectilinearly within the switch housing in response to rotation of the locking lever;   a second switch arm connected to the lock operating lever and extending into the switch housing wherein the second switch arm is movable rectilinearly within the switch housing in response to rotation of the lock operating lever;   a first switch, opening and closing in response to movement of the first switch arm; and   a second switch opening and closing in response to movement of the second switch arm.   
     
     
       3. A door latch and key cylinder for use in a vehicle door comprising: a locking lever;   an actuator arm connected to the locking lever;   a first switch arm connected to the actuator arm moveable in a generally linear direction and registerable with one of two operable lock switch pads;   a lock operating lever engaging the locking lever and mechanically linked to the key cylinder; and   a second switch arm connected to the lock operating lever moveable in a generally linear direction and registerable with one of two operable glass drive switch pads.   
     
     
       4. A door latch and rotatable key cylinder for use in a door comprising: a lock operating lever mechanically linked to the key cylinder and rotatable in response to rotation of the key cylinder;   a locking lever engaging the lock operating lever with lost motion occurring therebetween and rotatable in response to rotation of the lock operating lever;   a power actuator arm connected to the locking lever and being generally linearly positionable to selectively rotate the locking lever;   an elongated first switch arm having a first end that is snap fittingly engaged to the actuator arm and a second end that carries a conductor element that is registerable with a switch operating pad connected to vehicle ground and one of two alternative lock switch operating pads connected to control circuitry;   an elongated second switch arm having a first end that is snap fittingly engaged to the lock operating lever and a second end that carries a conductor element that is registerable with the switch operating pad connected to vehicle ground and one of two alternative glass drive switch operating pads connected to the control circuitry.